HC Deb 14 July 1942 vol 381 cc1075-6
53. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that the Press and publicity agents attached to certain Government Departments, who are paid out of public funds, will not be used in any way to further the personal prestige of the Ministers concerned and that the practice which has been followed by certain Ministers in appointing their own paid publicity agents to fill these posts will be discontinued in future; and whether he can give an approximate figure of the total cost for 12 months of these staffs throughout all Government Departments?

Sir K. Wood

The functions of Public Relations Officers and their staffs may be described as the promotion of a proper understanding of the work of the Departments by the general public, and it is to this function that their work is devoted, and with this in mind that such appointments have been made. As regards the last part of my Hon. Friend's Question, I would refer him to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams) on 21st May last.

Mr. De la Bère

Should there not be an end of the efforts at public expense to manipulate the public mind instead of legitimately informing it? Is it not very undesirable that a small Ministry of Information should be set up in each Government Department, thus adding enormously to the cost, and definitely manipu- lating the public mind to the disadvantage of the general public interest?

Sir K. Wood

No, Sir. As regards the last part of the Question, I cannot agree with my hon. Friend. As regards the first part, I would suggest that he should study the answer I have given.

Mr. De la Bère

Will the right hon. Gentleman do something about these Departmental manipulators of the public mind? They are absolutely a scandal and an outrage.

Viscountess Astor

Is it not true that some Cabinet Ministers refuse to have a public relations officer—have all got them?—and is it not true that it has done them all more harm than good?

Mr. De la Bère

Is it not the case that this practice is a very unworthy one and one which involves a loss of dignity?